Late Rally Propels Tigers Past Tide

COLLEGE BASKETBALL - Nation - The Beat

January 11, 2004

Darrel Mitchell tied a career high with 19 points as host LSU (11-1, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) erased a 10-point deficit in the last five minutes to defeat Alabama (8-4, 0-1) 70-66 on Saturday. The Tigers are off to their first 2-0 start in conference play since 1995.

Mitchell scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half as the Tigers overcame 13 missed free throws and 40.4 percent shooting.

GAMECOCKS BOOT DAWGS

Renaldo Balkman, benched for part of the first half for coming late to the pre-game meal, led an early 12-0 run with his first five points and helped South Carolina (14-2, 1-1 SEC) beat host Georgia (8-5, 0-2) 84-63. Balkman finished with 12 points after his punishment.

AUBURN ROUTS OLE MISS

Marco Killingsworth had 16 points and 10 rebounds and host Auburn (10-3, 1-1) dominated the boards in an 80-53 victory over Mississippi (8-5, 0-2), the second-largest margin in the rivalry's 107-game history.

EMMETT POWERS RAIDERS

Andre Emmett scored 19 of his season-high 32 points in the second half as host Texas Tech (13-2, 1-0) beat Oklahoma State (10-2, 0-1) 83-62. Tech broke the game open with an 11-0 run midway through the second half.

MISSOURI DOWNS A&M

Arthur Johnson had 19 points, 12 rebounds and a key blocked shot to lead struggling Missouri (6-5, 1-1 Big 12) to an 82-77 win over visiting Texas A&M (7-5, 0-1). Missouri won for just the second time in its past six games after being ranked as high as No. 3.

WVU TOPS GEORGETOWN

Johannes Herber tied a career high with 15 points and host West Virginia (8-4, 1-1 Big East) nearly let a 13-point lead evaporate down the stretch before holding on for a 62-58 victory over Georgetown (10-2, 1-2).

THOMAS LEADS IRISH

Chris Thomas had 21 of his 26 points in the second half to lead Notre Dame (8-3, 2-0 Big East) to its sixth straight win, a 82-78 victory over host Villanova (9-4, 0-1).

Jake Sullivan scored 23 points to propel host Iowa State (9-2, 2-0 Big 12) to an 89-74 victory over Nebraska (10-2, 0-1). Nebraska kept pace with Iowa State for about 30 minutes, but could not stay with the Cyclones down the stretch.